VOLVO 65

It is the first time in the history of yacht racing that seven identical yachts were specifically manufactured to race one another. The yacht in question is the Volvo 65. It is this yacht, that will  indicate at the end of the race who the best racing team really is and probably who the best yacht builders are. Thus far it is very difficult to say, in fact impossible to say which team will win,  since just less than one third of the total race distance has been covered.  

In my opinion, Volvo is planning to produce the Volvo 65 as a commercial yacht with a proven track record of robustness, sailability, performance, seaworthiness, style, durability etc.. When partnered with inmarsat, the Volvo 65 becomes a sort after small vessel  worthy of purchase. Good on you Volvo!

The Abu Dhabi team consist of  the most experience sailors whose collective seamanship won  them the 1st leg of the Volvo ocean race. Team Brunel also consists of racing stalwarts whose collective seamanship won them the 2nd Leg of the Volvo ocean race.   However the most interesting contenders in the Volvo ocean race is undoubtedly the Chinese  French team "Dongfeng Racing" with sailors with only six months worth of  sailing experience yet has been constant in taking second place in both the completed legs of the Volvo Ocean race. Having said that, my money is on the Dongfeng Team because  what they lack in experience they definitely makeup in determination. The images below is about the Volvo 65 yacht, its construction, its design, its layout, its fitments, etc...

The Volvo 65 hull without the deck with all 7 bulkheads visible.

The amazing thing about the Volvo 65 is its interior and outer shell is composed of  carbon fibre composite construction as can be seen above and in the successive images below. The downside of this composite material is that because it is black, therefore very dark inside the yacht and considering there are no portholes, it is extremely hot inside as well.

Transparent view of the Volvo 65 stitched together from 3 images.

Cross section of the Volvo 65 split along its centre panning out at 45 degrees at the stern.

Internal Wiring for the Electronics navigation Console mounted on the carbon fibre composite bulkhead

The cooking Station bolted down in place

Navigation station inside Volvo 65

A huge Volvo 65 Lithium Iron Power Supply (battery) necessary for all the electronics on board.

24V  regulator 

Left image is the door  the first bow bulkhead, right image exposes a storage area behind the door.

The stainless steel rod is the port rudder control mechanism house inside the stern storage hatch

The stern storage hatch beneath the skippers wheel

Aluminum tube and net constructed bunk beds, four port side and four starboard

Red switch / isolator seen through the glass top is connected to the battery in the adjacent compartment

Powerful Diesel Engine and alternator powering  the Volvo 65

Sat-Nav System and 2 x 16 man lifeboats

Brookes & Gatehouse Serial / Analogue Marine Instrumentation